Roll assembly extractor for a rolling mill

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a roll assembly extractor for a rolling mill which includes three superimposed rams, the upper one being supported by a middle one and caused to move relative to the roll assembly and the middle ram supported by a lower ram and movable relative thereto towards the roll assembly. The upper ram includes a hook for connecting the ram to the roll assembly. The middle arm is advanced by a rack and pinion and carries a chain which is connected to the upper ram for advancing this ram.

ljnite States Patent [151 smmso Schmiedberg Jan. 1, 1972 54 ROLLASSEMBLY EXTRAQTOR FOR A 3,433,046 3/1969 Remner et al. ..72/2393,376,724 Wolfendale et al [72] Inventor: Winfried F. Schmiedberg,Pittsburgh, Pa. Primary Examiner-Milton S. Mehr Assistant Examiner-B. J.Ollila [73] Assignee: United Engineering and Foundry Com- Attorney uemyc westin pany, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1969 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 876,418 I Thepresent disclosure relates to a roll assembly extractor for a rollingmill which includes three superimposed rams, the upper one beingsupported by a middle one and caused to [30] Forelgn APPhcanon PnontyDam move relative to the roll assembly and the middle ram sup- Nov. 25,1968 Great Britain ..55 767/68 P by 3 mm and "Mable relaive haremtowards the roll assembly. The upper ram includes a hook for connect- 52us. CI ..72 239 "8 the to the assembly- The middle is advanced [51] IntCl "B2", 31/10 by a rack and pinion and carries a chain which isconnected to 58 Field of Sean ..72 237, 238, 239 "P Yam advancing this[56] References Cited W .V .sjfli 4 p s f s f l'l UNITED STATES PATENTS3 208,? O 9/l96 5 Sieger et a1. 1 4.9

at, "nu. o 0 TD L @pnglo m M i. I o M, M h" k 1 32 t 43 44 35 l n s n Z625 2% PATENIED m 1 a m saw 1 or 2 INVENTOR MAI/WED E SCfiM/EDBERGATTORNEY PATENTEB am 8812 SHEET 2 BF 2 7/////// d m 6 w w m N m m l i EI I m ROLL ASSEMBLY EXTRACTOR FOR A ROLLING MILL It has been recently acommon practice to provide in connection with the finishing trains ofhot strip mills and cold mills an automatic roll changing system which,in many forms, includes a means located at the drive side for extractingthe rolls from the mill and inserting a new pair of rolls into the mill.An example of such a device is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,208,260which issued to M. P. Sieger et al., on Sept. 28, 1965.

With reference to the relatively long distance that the extractor mustadvance the rolls from the mill into a position in front of the mill, ithas been necessary heretofore to provide a special construction at thedrive side of the mill to accommodate the travel necessary for the powermeans that advance the extractor. The power means have taken the form ofeither piston cylinder assemblies or of a rack and pinion in which, inboth cases, it was necessary if a pinion stand was being employed toalter the design of the pinion stand, say, for example, to provide forthe rams of the rack and pinion driving arrangement to pass through thepinion stand. In this connection such a construction is shown in FIGS. 1and 2 of the aforesaid Sieger et al. patent.

Such an alteration of the drive for the rolling mill is, however, verycostly and hence there has been a need for an improved extractorarrangement that will be small enough to fit between the mill stand andthe drive.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide anextractor for use in connection with the removal of rolls from therolling mill which will fit between the rolling mill stand and itsdrive.

More particularly, it is the object of the present invention to providean extractor which comprises a plurality of superimposed ramsconstructed in a way that the rams move relative to each other in atelescoping fashion, drive means for advancing the rams and means forconnecting the rams to the rolls so that the rams may extract and inserta roll assembly from and into the mill.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a rollassembly ejector arrangement three superimposed rams, a lowerstationarily mounted one being designed to support a middle ram providedwith a driven pinion which drives a rack mounted on the middle ram. Themiddle ram also comprises a pair of sprockets on which is carried achain, the opposite ends of the chain being connected to the lower ram.The third ram is carried by the middle ram and it is also connected tothe chain and has at its ends adjacent the roll assembly a carriagewhich includes a pivotal hook adapted to engage the roll assembly.

These objects, as well as other novel features and advantages of theinvention may be better understood when the following description isread along with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a roll extractor built in accordance with thepresent invention showing its relationship to the mill stand and apinion stand;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the roll extractor illustrated in FIG. 1taken on lines ll--Il of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical expanded view of the extractor shown in FIGS.1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines III-III of FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown in outline form a rolling mill11 having a pair of work roll assemblies, one being shown at 12. Theseassemblies consist of a work roll, each having interfitting bearingchock assemblies, one being shown at 13, which allows the rollassemblies to be extracted from the mill as a unit. The chock 13, whichin this case is the lower chock, extends between the housing post 14 ofthe rolling mill. Projecting outward from the chock there is provided apair of hooks 16, the purpose of which will be explained later. To theright of the mill there is also shown in outline form the pinion stand17 which drives the work roll 12 by a spindle 18 through couplings 19and 21. In the space provided between the mill 11 and the pinion stand17, as defined by the spindle 18, there is provided the roll assemblyextracting device of the present invention.

As noted in FIG. 1, it takes the fonn of two identical extractorassemblies 22 and 23 arranged on either side of the spindle and in viewof this identity, only one of the assemblies will be specificallydescribed. With reference to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the ejector 23comprises a lower first ram 24 which is stationarily mounted andincludes at its one end a pair of pinions 25. The pinions are driven bya shaft 26 which is, in turn, connected to a gear reduction unit 27which is driven by a motor 28. It will, of course, be understood thatthe pinions associated with the other extractor assembly 22 are alsodriven by the shaft 26 in unison with the pinion 25.

In now referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the ram 24 takes thefonn of two opposed channels 29 and at their upper surfaces they areprovided with parallel guides 30 which receive the bottom member of asecond pair of opposed channels 31 that make up the second or middle ram32. The channel members 31 of the ram 32 therefore are supported by andguided in the lower ram 24. The ram 32 is about the same length as thelower ram 24 and on its ends there are mounted sprockets 33 which carrya chain 34. As noted in FIG. 2, the opposite, ends of the chain areconnected to a plate 35 which, in turn, is connected to the stationarylower ram 24. Two racks 36 mounted at the base of the ram mesh with thepinion 25.

The middle ram 32 is also provided with parallel guides 36a whichreceive the lower portion of a pair of channel beams 37 that form partof the third or upper ram 38. The upper ram 38 includes crossbeams 39which are provided for rigidity, similar beams being provided inconnection with the other two rams, although not specifically shown. Atthe roll assembly side of the ram 38, there is provided a carriage 41which consists of a pair of wheels 42 that roll over a track 43. Thetrack also supports a wheel 44 which is mounted at the front of themiddle ram 32.

In referring again to the carriage 41, at the top there is provided apivotally mounted hook 45, the hook being raised and lowered by a pistoncylinder assembly 46 also carried by the carriage. At the other end ofthe upper ram 38 there is provided a link 47, one end being connected tothe chain 34 and the other end to an adjustable turnbuckle assembly 49.This assembly comprises a threaded shaft and nut assembly 51. Uponrotation of the nuts the shaft is displaced which, in tu rn, displacesthe link 47 and adjusts the ram 38 relative to the roll assemblies. Suchadjustment is employed in the initial installation of the assembly sothat the proper relationship can be established between the ram 38 andthe roll 12.

In the particular illustrated form, the required movement to extract therolls from the mill and place them in the rollchanging position in frontof the mills is approximately 17 ft. while the length of the rack is 8-/4 ft. so that, in effect, the present invention has reduced the lengthof the extractor approximately 50 percent.

There will now be briefly described the operational sequence of thedisclosed extractor. Let it be assumed that the pair of rolls 12 is inthe mill, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the extractor assemblies 22 and23 are in the positions illustrated, also in FIG. 1. It will beappreciated that the necessary preliminary operations preparatory topresenting the rolls in a position for roll changing have been performedso that the cylinders 46 can be raised to allow the upper rams 38 on theoperation of the motor 28 to be brought into an abutted relationshipwith the projection of the bearing chock assembly of the roll 12. Oncethis occurs, the motor is once again operated whereby the pinions 25drive the middle rams 32 towards the roll stand at the same time thechain is driven so as to move the upper rams 38 actually through theroll stand to extract the roll from the mill, thus causing the rams toassume the position shown in FIG. 3, which is their fully extendedposition. During the movement through the mill, the roller 42 of thecarriage 41 and the roller 44 of the middle ram 32 will be supported byrails, such as shown in phantom in FIG. I, or by some other well-knownmeans.

When a pair of new rolls is to be reinserted into the mill, thecylinders 46 are operated to engage the hooks with the roll 12,

after which the motor 28 is again operated, but in a reverse direction,and the rams are brought to the position shown in FIG. 2 in which thenew rolls are caused to assume the position shown in FIG. 1.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I haveexplained the principle and operation of my invention and haveillustrated and described what I consider to represent the bestembodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination with a rolling mill having an operating side and adriving side and including at least a pair of roll assemblies, a rollassembly moving means for moving at least one of said roll assembliesinto and out of said mill comprising:

a roll assembly engaging means,

three superimposed rams including a stationary ram having means forsupporting a second ram and permitting relative movement between saidstationary ram and said second ram, said second ram having means forsupporting said third ram and permitting relative movement between saidsecond ram and said third ram,

said rams being arranged on the drive side of said mill and wherein theaggregate length of the rams are such as to allow the roll assemblyengaging means to be advanced from said drive side to the operating sideof said mill, said roll assembly engaging means carried by said thirdram, means for effecting said relative movements of said second andthird rams to advance said second and third rams from a contractedposition where the rams are positioned over each other and where theroll assembly engaging means is on said drive side of the mill to anexpanded position where said second and third rams are moved away fromsaid first rams and where the roll assembly engaging means is brought tosaid operating side of the mill.

2. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 1,including a rack and pinion assembly for drivingly interconnecting saidstationary ram and said second ram,

a sprocket and chain assembly for drivingly interconnecting said secondram and said third ram, one end of said chain being connected to saidthird ram, and

means for connecting said roll engaging means to the end of said ramadjacent the mill.

3. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid pinion is rotatably mounted on said stationary ram and said rack ismounted on said second ram,

said means for moving said one ram including a power means connected tosaid pinion for driving said pinion, and

said sprockets comprising a pair of spaced-apart sprockets mounted onsaid second ram adapted to support said chain.

4. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 3including means mounted on said third ram connected to said chain foradjusting said third ram relative to said second ram.

5. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid roll assembly engaging means comprises a carriage,

a wheel mounted on said carriage engaging with a rail arranged in aplane parallel to the axis of said roll assembly.

6. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 5,including a support roller mounted on said second ram in a manner tooverhang said stationary ram and engaging with said rail.

7. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim l-whereinsaid roll assembly is driven by a spindle arranged in axial alignmentwith the roll assembly and wherein said roll moving means comprises twoseparate means mounted on each side of said spindle and in planesparallel thereto,

said means for moving said second and third rams including a commonpower means for advancing said two separate means in unison.

1. In combination with a rolling mill having an operating side and adriving side and including at least a pair of roll assemblies, a rollassembly moving means for moving at least one of said roll assembliesinto and out of said mill comprising: a roll assembly engaging means,three superimposed rams including a stationary ram having means forsupporting a second ram and permitting relative movement between saidstationary ram and said second ram, said second ram having means forsupporting said third ram and permitting relative movement between saidsecond ram and said third ram, said rams being arranged on the driveside of said mill and wherein the aggregate length of the rams are suchas to allow the roll assembly engaging means to be advanced from saiddrive side to the operating side of said mill, said roll assemblyengaging means carried by said third ram, means for effecting saidrelative movements of said second and third rams to advance said secondand third rams from a contracted position where the rams are positionedover each other and where the roll assembly engaging means is on saiddrive side of the mill to an expanded position where said second andthird rams are moved away from said first rams and where the rollassembly engaging means is brought to said operating side of the mill.2. In combination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 1,including a rack and pinion assembly for drivingly interconnecting saidstationary ram and said second ram, a sprocket and chain assembly fordrivingly interconnecting said second ram and said third ram, one end ofsaid chain being connected to said third ram, and means for connectingsaid roll engaging means to the end of said ram adjacent the mill.
 3. Incombination with a rolling mill in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidpinion is rotatably mounted on said stationary ram and said rack ismounted on Said second ram, said means for moving said one ram includinga power means connected to said pinion for driving said pinion, and saidsprockets comprising a pair of spaced-apart sprockets mounted on saidsecond ram adapted to support said chain.
 4. In combination with arolling mill in accordance with claim 3 including means mounted on saidthird ram connected to said chain for adjusting said third ram relativeto said second ram.
 5. In combination with a rolling mill in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said roll assembly engaging means comprises acarriage, a wheel mounted on said carriage engaging with a rail arrangedin a plane parallel to the axis of said roll assembly.
 6. In combinationwith a rolling mill in accordance with claim 5, including a supportroller mounted on said second ram in a manner to overhang saidstationary ram and engaging with said rail.
 7. In combination with arolling mill in accordance with claim 1 wherein said roll assembly isdriven by a spindle arranged in axial alignment with the roll assemblyand wherein said roll moving means comprises two separate means mountedon each side of said spindle and in planes parallel thereto, said meansfor moving said second and third rams including a common power means foradvancing said two separate means in unison.